How to Buy a Stair Lift   

Stair Chair Lift:  Factors to Consider in Buying the Right One

So you’re ready to buy your first stair chair lift.  As you might already know there are many makes, models and styles.  It’s enough choices to make your head spin.  But, there are also individual factors to take into consideration when buying a stair chair lift.  Unfortunatlely some of these considerations are overlooked by people.  Here’s what to consider when buying your stair chair lift:

Would the user of the stair chair lift rather stand or be seated as they go up and down the stairs? For people wishing to stand as they go up and down the stairwell, a perching stair lift is right for them.  If they prefer to stay seated, a seated stair lift is ideal.  Now if the user of the stair lift is seated in a wheelchair, then something called a wheelchair platform is what they need.

Size is an important consideration in what type of stair lift you will buy.  Obviously a stair lift fitting an adult wouldn’t be safe for a disabled child. So the seat of the stair lift you buy must fit the user right.

If the user of the stair lift has a stiff knee, he or she will probably needs what’s called a stair chair lift that faces forward instead of sideways like most stair chair lifts are designed. Usually a wider stair chair will be more appropriate for a person with a problem knee.

If the user of the stair chair has a problem with heights, in addition to the chair’s seatbelt, additionally guardrails might be needed to assuage the user’s anxiety.

There are different types of controls for stair chairs.  That’s important to note, because some people because of their age or condition may not be able to work the controls of a particular chair properly.  So make sure you have the stair chair lift user test out the controls and get used to them before you leave them on their own.

In cases where the user of the stair chair lift is blind or suffers poor eyesight, an appropriate chair is required.  One that sounds off with an audio signal to alert the user he or she has reached the top landing or the bottom of the stairwell.

(Recommended you see tips on Electric Stair Lifts.)